"I am deeply worried and shocked about the allegations of US authorities
spying on EU offices. If the allegations prove to be true, it would be
an extremely serious matter which will have a severe impact on EU-US
relations. On behalf of the European Parliament, I demand full
clarification and require further information speedily from the US
authorities with regard to these allegations.” – President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz

INTERNATIONAL news was made over the weekend when Spiegel reported that the NSA had spied on European Union offices,
setting off a series of potentially damaging media stories that has the
Obama administration taking fire from allies. It finally took Edward
Snowden out of the firing line and put the focus where it belongs. Not
that anyone should be shocked that the U.S. is spying on its allies,
because it’s what countries do.

America’s NSA intelligence service allegedly targeted the
European Union with its spying activities. According to SPIEGEL
information, the US placed bugs in the EU representation in Washington
and infiltrated its computer network. Cyber attacks were also
perpetrated against Brussels in New York and Washington.

Information obtained by SPIEGEL shows that America’s National
Security Agency (NSA) not only conducted online surveillance of European
citizens, but also appears to have specifically targeted buildings
housing European Union institutions.